Hong Kong Inferno Toll Rises as Investigation Focuses on Building Negligence

TAI PO, HONG KONG — A catastrophic five-alarm fire engulfing a large public housing estate in Tai Po has claimed at least 94 lives, including a 37-year-old firefighter, as authorities intensify recovery efforts and launch a criminal investigation into potential negligence surrounding a long-delayed, costly maintenance project. The blaze, which tore through the Kwong Fuk Estate’s Wang Fuk Court starting Wednesday, has also resulted in 76 injuries, with 11 firefighters among the wounded, according to updated figures released early Thursday morning.

Emergency responders are in the final stages of battling the inferno in the nearly 2,000-unit complex, even as the death toll continues to fluctuate amid ongoing search operations. While the main flames were largely brought under control by late Thursday, fire services officials stated they expected full extinguishment of the remaining four unit hotspots to be completed by late Thursday night. Deputy Director of Operations for the Fire Services Department, Chan Hing-yung, confirmed that forces planned to finalize a comprehensive search and rescue operation—including the structural breach of all units across seven affected blocks—by 9 a.m. Thursday to ensure no residents remained trapped.

The Scale of the Disaster

The devastating scope of the tragedy has left more than 200 people unaccounted for, prompting desperate family members to gather near the site, awaiting news in the bitter cold. The complex, built in 1983, was undergoing extensive external renovation when the fire rapidly spread.

Initial Timeline and Spread:

• Wednesday, Nov. 26: The fire reportedly began in the protective netting surrounding Wang Cheong House, a block within the court, which was shielded by scaffolding for maintenance work.
• The fire quickly escalated, fueled by several reported explosions, subsequently spreading to six adjacent towers.
• Security Secretary Chris Tang and Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung revealed that the intense heat and rapid spread were exacerbated by materials used in the renovation. Investigators found that numerous unit windows were taped or sealed with highly flammable foam boards, and common area windows were similarly clad, creating a devastating environment conducive to fire propagation.
• The materials—including protective netting, waterproof canvas, and plastic sheeting—may not have met required fire safety standards.

Criminal Inquiry and Recovery Efforts

Police have arrested three men, aged 52 to 68, in connection with the fatal fire on suspicion of manslaughter. The detainees include two directors of the contracting company overseeing the massive overhaul and an engineering consultant. Authorities allege severe negligence in handling the construction site contributed directly to the mass casualties.

The fatal blaze has cast a harsh light on the complex’s controversial maintenance project. The $330 million Hong Kong Dollar renovation, approved by the Owners’ Corporation last year after receiving a mandatory inspection notice in 2016, had sparked significant dissent among residents over the high cost and lack of transparency. Owners were mandated to pay between HK$156,000 and HK$182,000 per unit. Concerns about safety standards were also raised, with reports of construction workers smoking near scaffolding.

In a parallel move, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) launched a dedicated task force on Thursday to investigate potential corruption related to the tendering and execution of the maintenance work.

Government Response and Aid

Chief Executive John Lee visited the scene and announced comprehensive support measures for the thousands of displaced residents.

• Housing: The government has identified approximately 1,800 temporary housing units, including youth hostels and hotels, to accommodate affected families for up to two weeks, transitioning later into dedicated transitional housing.
• Financial Aid: The government established a $300 million relief fund, with immediate payments of HK$10,000 issued to every affected household.
• Mourning: Official government-backed celebratory events have been canceled as a mark of respect, and a public memorial is being planned.

In a heartbreaking development, authorities established a processing center at the Kwong Fuk Estate Community Hall where families of the missing are being asked to identify loved ones from photographs of victims recovered from the rubble. Red Cross personnel are providing critical psychological support to distraught relatives navigating the agonizing identification process.

The investigation into the Wang Fuk Court fire points toward a systemic failure of safety oversight and construction management, raising urgent questions about the regulatory framework governing large-scale building maintenance projects across Hong Kong’s dense urban landscape.